The Portland Museum of Art is once again partnering with MOFGA for a series of events about growing programs and issues in our communities. All events take place in the Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium and are free for PMA and MOFGA members ($10 for the general public).

March 26The Hidden World of Bees & Pollination
6:30 p.m.
Hear Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Bees, Heather Spalding, MOFGA Deputy Director, and Fedco Seeds founder, C.R. Lawn, talk about our pollinators and the national and local issues that concern them and our food supply. Maine honey and mead tasting to follow.

April 4Inside the Portland Food Co-op
11:00 a.m.
Food co-ops are nationally on the rise. Learn why these organizations are so integral to a sustainable community and about the Portland Food Co-op’s unique mission to serve the community.

Michele Obama Calls Out the Food Industry on Junk Food Marketing to KidsOrganic Connections - 9/26/2013. By Michele Simon - Last week Michelle Obama gathered 100 food industry representatives, academic experts and public health advocates for a “summit” at the White House to discuss junk food marketing to children. The first lady’s speech was better than I had anticipated. As someone who was skeptical about Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move program from the beginning, I am happy to report she didn’t pull any punches.

Seed Industry Structure – Dr. Phil HowardThe Cornucopia Institute - 9/26/2013. Dr. Phil Howard, the creator of the popular Who Owns Organics infographic, has developed an updated set of compelling graphics detailing corporate consolidation in the global seed industry.

6:30 p.m., Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium, Portland Museum of Art. Hear Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Honeybees, Heather Spalding, MOFGA deputy director, and Fedco Seeds founder CR Lawn talk about our pollinators and the national and local issues that concern them and our food supply. Maine honey and mead tasting to follow. A Community Collaboration between Portland Museum of Art and MOFGA. Free for PMA and MOFGA members ($10 for the general public). Schedule and details.

6 to 9 p.m. Classes held in locations throughout Maine to give gardeners the skills and knowledge to transition from conventional to organic gardening. Registration: typically $5 to cover handouts. Information with class locations.

Locations: Common Ground Education Center in Unity with Jen Ries, or College of the Atlantic in Mount Desert with C.J. Walke. Learn to propagate and reproduce your favorite fruit tree varieties. Participants graft trees to take home and plant. $50 per person. Information and registration.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., East Sangerville Grange. Presented in partnership by East Sangerville Grange, Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Maine Highlands MOFGA Chapter. Speakers will cover topics of interest to both gardeners and commercial farmers. Doors open at 9:30. Light lunch will be provided. For directions go to www.grange.org/eastsangervilleme177/ or call Erin Callaway at 343-0171. RSVPs appreciated to make lunch planning easier.

9 a.m. to the afternoon, MOFGA’s Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity. We'll start with a demonstration on how to plant a tree. All ages are welcome. Bring a shovel, lunch, friends and kids. No charge. FMI: MOFGA.org or apples@mofga.org.